>Squat / Deadlift
>Bench / Press
>Deadlift / Squat
>Press / Bench
Primary Lift:
>5/3/1 reps (5/5/5+, 3/3/3+, 5/3/1+) OR 5's PRO (3x5) ?
3 rep sets for the first few cycles are ridiculously easy. And Wendler seems to recommend 5's pro very often recently. (also in the "Krypteia" program that's apparently so great). Maybe 5's pro for a few cycles and then switch to normal 531 reps?
>2 FSL Down Sets y/n? (eg. week 1: 65/75/85/65/65%)
More sets = more hypertrophy. Then again, I'd do 5 light-ish sets of each lift on the opposite day, 8 sets per lift per week is plenty. Unless I decide to do a variation (see below)
Secondary Lift:
>Standard OR a variation (Front Squat, RDL, Push Press, …)
Doing the standard lift is much simpler obviously. I also don't believe that a large exercise selection is better.
I'd stick to barbell variations anyways, but I think it would be just to prevent the training from getting too boring…
>BBB (5x10 @50%) OR 5x5 FSL (5x5 @65/70/75%)
It seems that "number of sets" is the most important factor when it comes to hypertropy. Not sure If I get any advantage from doing 10s.
However there could be a conditioning benefit. And I've been doing only 5s for a while, so switching it up could be good too.
>Or something else completely? (maybe different for each lift?)
Especially if I were to do variants of the main lifts. Front Squats and Push Presses for example aren't well-suited for higher reps.
Accessories:
>Superset with (Bench) Presses: Chinups (Weighted, Bodyweight, both?), Band pull-aparts
I feel like I should be doing some more "heavy" back work, weighted chins are great for that.
But bodyweight chins for lots of reps are great as well. Weighted with the main lift, bodyweight with the secondary? (or vice-versa)
>Superset with all lifts: Abs, Obliques, Calves
I just have to isolate my calves to make them grow even a little.
And extra ab work is always a good idea.
>Dips?
Dips are great, but I already do 16-20 sets of heavy pressing per week
>More Back work (rowing) ?
Again, I feel like I should "equally" as much pulling as I do pressing.
If I superset chins with all presses, I do the same number of sets, but I also feel like I should do some horizontal pulling like rows.
>Power Cleans?
They seem like a great addition. One for the explosiveness, that should be beneficial for rugby.
On the other hand, I've been doing them for a while, progress has been basically zero and the equipment at my gym is barely useable for that.
And I don't know how I would incorporate them into the program without making the workouts too long or taking other stuff out.
>Other Accessories?